Dec. 2, 1999

Santa Barbara, Calif. - Jaimee Brubacher had 24 kills and Lydia Day added 17 in Loyola Marymount’s 3-2 win over Southeast Missouri State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Santa Barbara. The Lions defeated the Otahkians 15-8, 15-6, 11-15, 5-15, and 20-18.

The Lions' Sarah McFarland, the nation’s leader in kills at 7.51 per game entering the match, did not play in the first three games because of an ankle injury she suffered Wednesday in practice. When Loyola Marymount took a 2-0 advantage into game three, it did not look as if she was needed, but head coach Steve Stratos was forced to bring McFarland into the match in the fourth game after Southeast Missouri State won game three and built a 10-1 advantage in game four. Although hobbled, McFarland added seven kills for the Lions and she was instrumental in their see-saw victory in game five.

The Otahkians, who entered the NCAA Tournament with a 21 match winning streak and victories in 28 of their last 29 matches, were led by Lea Beckemeyer who had 19 kills and Krista Haukap who added 17. They fought off several match points in the fifth game before falling by a 20-18 count. Southeast Missouri State finishes the season with an overall record of 28-6. The loss was their second of the season to Loyola Marymount. On September 3, they dropped a 3-0 contest to the Lions in the Colorado State Tournament at Fort Collins, CO.

As a team Loyola Marymount hit only .217, but they produced 17 blocks, led by Candace Boller who had ten block assists. They are now 20-10 and advance to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night. They will play the winner of Thursday night’s second match between host UC Santa Barbara and Oral Roberts.